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McCall's

May 13, 2013

I NEED McCall 9321. The one on the left. Not the pattern. That very dress. Doesn't it just sing of summer evenings and fireflies and sherbert and dancing and no worries in the world? Swoon, swoon, swoon.

Although the dress on the right, in white eyelet or lace? I'll take that as well, thank you. (I may be mistaken for a bride, but I'll be too busy frolicking to care.)

February 26, 2013

I have a lot of pattern pics stored on my computer in files with titles like "Doll Terror," "What's On Her Head?," "International Superspy" and "Dress of Evil" -- but one of the biggest categories by far is "Up To No Good." What is it about groups of women that suggest that they are, well, up to no good? Perhaps we all have memories of being the targets of mean girls in elementary school, junior high and high school. (Or was that just me?)

Say hello to just a few of the dastardly women of Patternland -- there are many more to come:

Simplicity 1181, 1951

Don't tell me that the women in Simplicity 3559 aren't plotting! White Halter is beckoning with one pointed finger, while Stripes is enjoying the show. Flowers, however, clearly thinks they should have gone with her plan.

Simplicity 3559, 1955

What is it about Pink's expression and body language in Simplicity 1181 that makes it seem like she's about to snatch the viewer's very soul away? Go ahead, White -- laugh, laugh, laugh!

McCall's 4535, 1959

McCall's 4535 is a tough one to categorize -- clearly Yellow and Print Dress are conspiring about something. But the sunglasses and big hats give this a dose of International Superspy as well. My theory is White just handed off that purse to Print Dress. Expect a high-speed scooter chase to follow.

"But what about the children?!," you cry. Rest assured, it's not all innocence and light there, either -- check out McCall's 3228:

McCall's 3228, 1987

This one puzzled me for a while, but I think I finally figured it out. Blue Suit Boy is exhibiting Carrie/Firestarter-like psychic powers and wreaking devastation -- perhaps on us! Red Skirt is fascinated by him, while all the other kids are laughing at our coming demise. Quick, look away!

Finally, McCall's 3722 -- or, as I prefer to call it, "Caught In The Act:"

McCall's 3722, 1956

Have you ever seen such a blatant example of "Who, me? I'm not doing anything!" It's the equivalent of hitting Microsoft Word to cover up your solitaire game when the boss walks by -- everyone is pretending nothing is going on. Even the poodle is in on it!

February 25, 2013

Squee! Today's eye candy, McCall 1541, thrilled me so much when I spotted it on the Vintage Wiki that I had to search it out from Jen at Mom's Patterns and make it mine. The rose applique! The leaves! The band! The felt hat!

McCall 1541, 1950

The pattern calls for 72" wide felt, and I'm not sure how I feel about the prospect of a felt skirt. Will it be charmingly retro, or -- even in non-acrylic felt -- will it evoke kindergarten cutouts? Has anyone done any apparel sewing with felt lately? Do tell!

February 19, 2013

One of the things I love finding on vintage patterns are notations made by prior owners. Sometimes they're as mysterious as a secret message. Other times they offer a glimpse of a seamstress' well-laid plans. Yet other times they're the final trace of that rage that comes with a failed sewing project.

McCall's 9780 belonged to a "Verna Stein," according to the name one the envelope. At first I assumed that Verna was a very exacting child and this pattern was part of a careful negotiation with her mother. The note reads:

I would like this one, but with a big sash tie in back & lace around the neck and sleeves. How does that sound?

McCall's 9780, 1969

But the writing is so neat, so precise -- this isn't a child's scrawl. I think Verna hired a seamstress, and these were her written instructions to her.

Still, I prefer to think of Verna as a precocious little girl, mouth twisted in concentration as she consults her penmanship book and underlines all the important words in her oh-so-polite fashion note to Mother. I wonder what kind of fabric she chose.

February 15, 2013

I don't think I need to explain why I threw McCall's 3442 into the "unfortunate fashion" pile:

McCall's 3442, 1972

To be fair, the actual pattern -- the pants and "shirt-jacket" -- are fine. But the (entirely fictional) fabric is a terrifying example of 1970s double-knit wonder.

Red Plaid Pants is actually the best-dressed one of the bunch. I think he and Green Boots -- green boots! -- are congratulating each other on Green Boots' fashion choices. (Really? A red lumberjack shirt-jacket with key lime boots?) Meanwhile poor Navy Plaid looks on...whether in disdain for his compatriots' fashion choices or sadness that they have not noticed his white webbing belt, I cannot say.

August 07, 2012

June 23, 2011

I always love patternswithnotations on them. Jottings about hem lengths, fabrics, adjustments...all are peeks into the lives of the seamstresses who used these little pieces of history.

And then there are the notes scrawled in frustration and madness...those moments all too familiar to anyone who sews. McCall's 6079 from 1961 has both:

"Dark print," "Summer or winter," "Make in suiting or washable tweed." Such great planning, don't you think?

We all know what they say about God and plans.

Check out the note to the left of the brown skirt:

"do not make this in brn, short sleeves, looks like an overgrown brownie!"

I'm assuming she meant a Girl Scout-type brownie, but it's just as amusing to imagine someone laboring over the washable tweed just to put on the finished dress, gaze in the mirror and think, "Shit. I look like a giant pastry."

Like the pattern? You can get it in a B32 -- complete with the notes -- over at DellaJane!

June 09, 2011

It's been stressful times in Pattern Junkie land for the past couple of months. I was working away this morning, in need of something cheery, when I decided to take a break and head on over to the Vintage Sewing Pattern Wiki. I hadn't been there in ages. I clicked on the new photos page to see what wonders had been added.

I sighed. "Wow," I thought. "Wouldn't it be great to put on that dress and feel like skipping?"

I kept looking.

Oh, Vintage Wiki. You know just what I need. Because in the very next row, you presented me with the glory that is Vogue 6731:

YES! That's a bra just FLOATING in mid-air! Is there a strip-tease going on just outside the edges of the pattern envelope? Is a torrid orgy underway? Or is it a magic bra floating of its own accord, much like the cartoon mini-helper of Advance pattern fame? I don't know, but that floating bra just fills me with delight.

But that's not all the Vintage Pattern Wiki had to offer today. Oh, no. It gets better. Just take a look at Vogue 8898:

That's OK. Look again. Take a deep breath or two. I needed a moment when I saw it for the first time.

Stuffed animals. ON SLEDS AND SKIS! Whizzing down a mountain! (In case you're wondering, the brown lumps on the left are supposed to be hedgehogs.)

Who decided that the way to model stuffed hedgehogs, rabbits and possums was to put them in a toboggan race in a fake mountain diorama? (Whoever you are, thank you!) What were the alternate ideas? Animals betting on horse races? Pumping gas? Hot tubbing?